National News

School District Bans Birthday Cupcakes Because They AREN'T FAIR

An elementary school in the outer suburbs of Atlanta has outlawed birthday cupcakes, cookies and, in fact, all food from birthday parties over fears that some kids with food allergies could feel sad and left out.

Officials at Brooks Elementary School in Newnan, Ga. announced the draconian new policy for the upcoming school year via a letter to parents, reports The Newnan Times-Herald.

“When parents have brought in goodies for birthdays, oftentimes these children are not included in the snack because of dietary restrictions and have felt left out,” Julie Raschen, principal of Brooks Elementary, said, according to the Times-Herald. “Parents can still send in treats for their child’s birthday, we just ask that they not be food items.”

Raschen claimed that upwards of 10 percent of the students at the school have suffered from all manner of food allergies to foods ranging from peanuts to gluten to blueberries.

“This is a school-based decision due to the high number of students with significant allergies at Brooks,” she explained.

While allergy concerns are important, the principal equally stressed fairness concerns. Thus, the cupcake ban will treat every student fairly by ensuring that no students receive cupcakes.

“Although our first priority above all else is the safety of our students, we are also trying to create an environment in which all students feel included and not singled out,” Raschen told the local newspaper. “So both safety and a positive environment for all students were the reasons for this change.”